Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering at Google and head of the Android project has revealed an updated version of Google Maps this week, version 5.
GM5 will be released “in a matter of days,” and most Android users should be able to download it, free, at that point.
Coming with the Maps update will be the end of tiling, which Unwired explains “essentially involves stitching several flat images or maps together and can wreak havoc on map loading times.”
GM5 will use vectors, which brings the ability to see maps in 3D. For anyone who has used Google Earth on their Android device knows, Maps will now let you tilt and rotate any map with your fingers.
Equally as notably is the addition of offline caching, making those long trips to areas with data deadzones less scary. Besides keeping the map/route on file, the offline cache will also be able to reroute if you miss that exit and don’t have continuous data.
The update will be available for all Android devices with 2.2, and possibly for all with 2.1, as well.
Result for: loading times
Sony has confirmed that it will be giving Japanese PSP users direct access to the PlayStation Store via the handheld’s built-in Wi-Fi connection.
Beginning on October 15th, users will be able to use the store to purchase and download any game that would normally only be available on UMD from that point forward. The downloads will have faster loading times and get rid of the need to carry around the physical UMD.
There will also be add-ons and in-game items available from the store for current games as well as future games.
No word was given on whether users could download movies or music but the company did promise “more network services” for the handheld by the end of 2008.
There was no word on European or North American launches but it is safe to say we will see the update at some point.
